So, it is quite fitting that Starbucks is now offering that most hipsterish of coffee brewing methods (second only to the pour over), the cold brew.
The cold brew is a method particularly suited to South Florida. (Because it's cold, guys.)
Basically, cold-brewed coffee relies on time, rather than heat, to extract flavor from the grounds. You mix course grounds with water, cover the container, and stash it in the fridge for at least 12 hours. The hoopla surrounding cold brew is that, because no heat is involved, there's almost no bitterness or acidity, and instead has a bright, almost sweet flavor.
Leslie Wolford, senior coffee specialist at Starbucks, descried its version in a press release as “[featuring] high-quality varietals from Latin America and Africa. The blend delivers a flavor profile of chocolate balanced by citrus notes for a sweet, dense and smooth cup.”
There's an art to it of course, and coffee connoisseurs will argue (endlessly because they are well caffeinated) about the precise details such as whether the brew should be kept in the fridge or on the counter and over how long it should sit. (Starbucks brews its for 20 hours.)
All coffee snob teasing aside, however, it's quite good. You should try some.
There are already a few spots around South Florida where you can get a cold brew, but these tend to be indie, third-wave shops like Subculture in Palm Beach County, Argyle and Brew Urban in Broward, and, of course, Panther in Miami-Dade.
So, Kardashian, er, Starbucks bringing cold brew to the masses is a bit of a shift in the coffee diaspora.
A grande cold brew at Starbucks will retail for $3.25 — that's 16 fluid ounces or a medium for the uninitiated. Sadly, the mason jar above is for advertising purposes only. They don't serve it that way in the store, according to the Starbucks on Linton Boulevard in Delray Beach, anyway.
CrazyJewishMom will be relieved at least.
If you are still confused, here's an info sheet from Starbucks explaining the differences between cold brew, iced coffee, and and iced latte.
You can contact Rebecca McBane, Arts & Culture Editor/Food Editor at [email protected]. Follow @cleanplatebpb on Twitter and like New Times Broward Palm Beach Food & Drink on Facebook to stay connected for all the local food news and events.
